'she' said huskily.

"Irena!" Aguilar's voice was harsh and tense. "We have smashed them! Macias' force has already taken Terencia. We have cleared Rodrigo, and Boca lies between us!" His voice was exultant.

"General," Irena turned to look at Consuela as she spoke into the mike. "We all rejoice at your news! We shall praise the Armed Forces of the Revo- lution to the World Press to- morrow!"

Aguilar had noted the calm- ness of her speech. "What is is?" he asked sharply. "Have there been more assassinations in the capital?"

"No," said Irena, leaning back on the chair while the officer eyed her feminine form avidly. What dreams he'll have tonight, thought Consuela sour- ly. "We have not really resolved what will occur after El Chaco is clear of reactionary forces."

"We will chase the in- vaders right back to Gran Ten- aco!" Aguilar's voice boomed out of the speaker.

"No," said Irena calmly. "I do not think we should do

that."

There was a silence from the speaker. Consuela willed the youth, she was willing herself to think of 'him' that way, to speak first, but Irena didn't. She even looked down at her clear, though polished nails and frowned at a tiny catch. Just when the silence became overpowering, Aguilar spoke again. "I didn't receive your last message clearly," he said. "Would you repeat it?" "The armed forces of the Revolution are to halt the advance at Rio Caches," said Irena in a surprisingly firm, feminine tone to Consuela's ears. My God, how she sounds like the real Irena, Consuela thought wildly. She's handling him just the way Irena handled Hector Chuy, but they were lovers!

"We cannot halt at the

border," said Aguilar shakily.

Consuela now expected the typical Irena answer----"The Pres- ident orders you......" delivered in the haughty, grandiose manner that Irena loved to use to show her dominion over her men

friends.

"Ramon," 'she' spoke the word in a reproachful, husky, female tone, which Consuela saw now was the greatest skill she'd been taught. Even this close, in a white, silk negligee, without makeup, the communi- cations officer regarded her as if she were the most beautiful woman in the world. "Ramon," she repeated. "We are playing here for more than our national pride. The peace of this part of the world is in our hands. The smashing victory on El Chaco will invigorate the people, while our restraint will bring us international friends as well as the hearts of the masses of people in our own country and our neighbor's.'

There was a pause again over the communications set. Irena flicked a few strands of hair back over her shoulder. She looked SO young with that ribbon. I shouldn't be doing that now, thought Con- suela angrily. He's learning enough girlish tricks as it is.

"What guarantee is there for peace?" Aguilar's voice was subdued. He was yielding to her, thought Consuela incred- ulously.

Irena gave the mike a warm smile. "The Americans made an offer to help us re- pair our economy. That was providing we made no offen- sive. I asked them for more if we halt at Rio Caches. They were shaken that I would bar- gain. Now they know the offen- sive is launched, they want to talk about that immediately, before we cross the border." There was laughter in her voice. "You could help by making loud noises at the front while I work on Mr. Ward for guaran- tees and finances.'

-36-

"We could always proceed if Ward doesn't satisfy you," said Aguilar in an eager tone of voice.

Irena bit nervously at her lower lip, a familiar gesture of both Vargas. Consuela was amazed! Irena had done it! In just a few moments of conver- sation, she had brought the Junta, for that was what Ag- uilar meant, onto her side once more. She was going on to exchange pleasantries with Ra- Aguilar, promising him dinner, without her secretaries, when he returned to the cap- itol.

mon

“Take care, Irena," Aguilar had ended, his voice worried. "That Salluca thing was meant for you.'

""

Irena spoke softly in re- turn. "We have Ernesto in custody. Camar insists that he will make a complete investi- gation and get to the bottom of this business. I am, of course, surrounded by excellent guards. She smiled at the officer who blushed a little and seemed to swell out in his uniform.

Aguilar was still concerned. "Listen. I'm not sure about that. I don't see what Ernesto could hope to gain. He knows how I feel about him. You're better for him alive, I would have thought.

“I tell you

-- I'm going to give orders to Macias about the border. I'm superfluous now anyway to the Corps Comman- ders. I'll head back to the cap- itol in the morning. Right now I'm going to call Fernandes at Vanguard H.Q. and get him to throw an even tighter ring around you. We can't afford to lose you now.'

""

He sounded to eager to please Irena that Consuela was sickened, particularly when she glanced at Irena, smiling her- self and basking in the General's flattery. She was squirming girl- ishly on her chair while she exchanged closing banter with Aguilar.

"You really enjoyed that," said Consuela angrily when they